Mondale award goes to Warren MacKenzie

MINNEAPOLIS — Warren MacKenzie, a famous North American craft potter, will be honored at the 2014 Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., at Oak Ridge Country Club, 700 Oak Ridge Road, Hopkins, MN 55305.

The award, presented by former Vice President and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Walter Mondale, together with Japan America Society of Minnesota, is honoring MacKenzie for his work that has touched the lives of many people in Japan and in the United States through his pottery. His simple, wheel-thrown functional pottery is heavily influenced by the oriental aesthetic of Shoji Hamada and Korean ceramics. He is credited with bringing the Japanese Mingei style of pottery to Minnesota, fondly referred to as the “Mingei-sota style”.

This year the Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Matthew Welch, Deputy Director and Chief Curator at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Directors Office and Asian Art department.

Proceeds from this fundraising event will enable JASM to to offer a merit-based Mondale Scholarship and fascinating social and educational programs that promote cultural exchange between Minnesota and Japan.

Dr. Matthew Welch will be the keynote speaker for the 17th Annual Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala. Dr. Welch is currently the Deputy Director and Chief Curator at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Directors Office and Asian Art department. He has been with the MIA since 1990 and specializes in Japanese and Korean art, with a particular interest in Edo period and Zen painting.

The dinner is $135 for non-JASM members. For information call 612-627-9357, or email [email protected]